Energy conversion device

Abstract

Energy Conversion Device The present invention relates to an energy conversion device (16) between a DC voltage source (12) and an AC voltage source (14), comprising: - a first inverter (20) having an operating voltage equal to a predetermined low voltage (Vmin), - a second inverter (22) connected in series with the first inverter (20) such that the operating voltage of the combination of the first inverter (20) and the second inverter (22) is equal to a predetermined high voltage (Vmax), and - a chopper (24) suitable for connection to the DC voltage source (12) and connected to the first inverter (20) and the second inverter (22) such that the voltage across the chopper (24) is equal to the difference between the high voltage (Vmax) and the low voltage (Vmin). Figure for the abstract: 1

Description

Title of the invention: Energy conversion device

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for converting energy between a direct current voltage source and an alternating current voltage source. The present invention also relates to an associated electrical assembly.

[0002] Conventionally, the conversion of energy from a direct current (DC) voltage source to an alternating current (AC) voltage source is carried out using a two-level voltage or three-level voltage inverter.

[0003] In the photovoltaic field, two types of energy conversion chains are typically used to convert the DC voltage of a basic source into AC voltage:

[0004] - one comprising a single DC / AC conversion stage, and

[0005] - the other comprising a first chopper stage, called "boost", at the input (DC / DC) which This process determines the maximum power operating point of the elementary photovoltaic source, typically consisting of a series of photovoltaic modules. This determination is performed independently of the input bus voltage of the second DC / AC conversion stage.

[0006] These two conversion chains are sized to withstand significant voltages, in particular the voltage at the maximum power operating point of the series of photovoltaic modules, also called photovoltaic string.

[0007] Such a design requires the use of semiconductors capable of operating at high voltages (across the entire voltage range of the photovoltaic string), which constrains the manufacturing of the converters and is likely to reduce conversion efficiency. In particular, the voltage cut by these semiconductors is a square wave and must be filtered by passive elements (inductors and capacitors) that are increasingly large and expensive as the cut voltage increases. These passive elements also generate losses that increase with their size.

[0008] The object of the invention is then to propose a device for converting energy between a direct voltage source and an alternating voltage source, in which the voltage applied to the semiconductors of the device is reduced, so as to increase the efficiency of the conversion and to reduce the cost of the complete device.

[0009] To this end, the invention relates to a device for converting energy between a direct current voltage source and an alternating current voltage source, the direct current voltage source comprising at least two blocks, each comprising at least one electrical module, each electrical module operating within an environmental operating range, the voltage across each block varying over a voltage range For the environmental operating range, the voltage range extending between a minimum voltage and a maximum voltage, the device includes: a. a first inverter having an operating voltage equal to a predetermined low voltage, the low voltage being strictly positive and being less than or equal to the minimum voltage, the first inverter being suitable for connection to the AC voltage source, b. a second inverter connected in series with the first inverter such that the operating voltage of the combination of the first and second inverters is equal to a predetermined high voltage, the high voltage being greater than or equal to the maximum voltage, the second inverter being suitable for connection to the AC voltage source, and c. a chopper suitable for connection to the DC voltage source to adjust the voltage across each block over the voltage range, the chopper being connected to the first inverter and the second inverter so that the voltage across the chopper is equal to the difference between the high voltage and the low voltage.

[0010] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the device comprises one or more of the following features, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations:

[0011] - the first inverter is connected between a potential reference terminal and a potential terminal equal to the lower voltage, called lower terminal, the second inverter being connected between the lower terminal and a potential terminal equal to the high voltage, called upper terminal, the voltage terminals of the chopper being connected to the lower terminal of the first inverter and the second inverter and to the upper terminal of the second inverter;

[0012] - the first inverter is connected between a terminal of equal potential in absolute value to the lower voltage, called upper terminal, and a potential reference terminal, the second inverter being connected between a potential terminal equal in absolute value to the high voltage, called lower terminal, and the upper terminal, the voltage terminals of the chopper being connected to the upper terminal of the first inverter of the second inverter and to the lower terminal of the second inverter;

[0013] - the first inverter and the second inverter are chosen from: an inverter single-phase current, a three-phase current inverter, a single-phase voltage inverter and a three-phase voltage inverter;

[0014] - the first inverter is a current inverter and the second inverter is a voltage inverter;

[0015] - the environmental operating range depends on the temperature of the electrical modules of each block;

[0016] - the chopper is suitable for research in the environmental field of operation the maximum power operating point for each block;

[0017] - the low voltage is equal to the minimum voltage and the high voltage is equal to the maximum voltage;

[0018] - the low voltage is different from the difference between the high voltage and the voltage low.

[0019] The invention also relates to an electrical assembly comprising: a. a direct current voltage source, the direct current voltage source comprising at least two blocks, each comprising at least one electrical module, each electrical module operating within an environmental operating range, the voltage across each block varying over a voltage range for the environmental operating range, the voltage range extending between a minimum voltage and a maximum voltage, b. an alternating current voltage source, and c. an energy conversion device between the direct voltage source and the alternating voltage source, the device as described previously.

[0020] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the electrical assembly comprises one or more of the following features, taken individually or in any technically possible combination:

[0021] - the alternating voltage source comprises at least two separate sub-sources electrically, the first inverter is connected to one of the sub-sources and the second inverter is connected to the other of the sub-sources;

[0022] - the chopper includes one branch of switches per block, each block having one one of its terminals connected to a common potential reference terminal and the other of its terminals connected to a separate branch of switches of the chopper, the first inverter having one of its terminals connected to one of the common terminals of all the branches of switches of the chopper, the second inverter having one of its terminals connected to the other of the common terminals of all the branches of switches of the chopper, the first inverter having another terminal connected to the common potential reference terminal of connection of the blocks;

[0023] - at least two blocks are of a different nature;

[0024] - the positive terminal or the negative terminal of each block is connected to the terminal of potential reference;

[0025] - the electrical modules are chosen from: photovoltaic modules, batteries, electrolyzers and fuel cells.

[0026] The invention will become clearer upon reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the drawings in which:

[0027] [Fig.1] [Fig.1] is a schematic view of an example of an electrical assembly comprising a DC voltage source, an AC voltage source and a device for converting energy between the DC voltage source and the AC voltage source,

[0028] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a schematic view of an example of an embodiment of an electrical assembly,

[0029] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a schematic view of an example of another mode of assembly of an electrical system,

[0030] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a schematic view of yet another example of assembly of an electrical system,

[0031] [Fig. 5] [Fig. 5] is a schematic view of yet another example of construction of an electrical assembly, and

[0032] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a schematic view of yet another example of assembly of an electrical system.

[0033] An electrical assembly 10 is schematically illustrated in [Fig. 1]. Figures 2 to 6 are examples of embodiments of such an electrical assembly 10.

[0034] The electrical assembly 10 includes a direct voltage source 12 (or DC source), an alternating voltage source 14 (or AC source) and a device 16 for converting energy between the direct voltage source 12 and the alternating voltage source 14.

[0035] The DC voltage source 12 comprises at least two blocks 17. Each block 17 forms an elementary source.

[0036] In particular, in the examples in Figures 2 to 6, the DC voltage source 12 comprises three blocks 17 of electrical modules, the blocks 17 being connected to a chopper 24 which will be described in more detail later in the description.

[0037] Each block 17 comprises at least one electrical module.

[0038] In one embodiment, at least one block 17 comprises several electrical modules connected in series.

[0039] Each block 17 has a first terminal connected to a common point M and a second terminal connected to a point not common to the other blocks 17. Thus, the voltage source 12 has several differentiated voltage outputs. As will be described later, the second terminal of each block 17 is used to connect said block 17 to different branches of a chopper 24.

[0040] Typically, the common point M serves as a potential reference, for example, a zero potential (connected to ground). This reference potential can also be left floating (without connection to ground). The potentials indicated in this application shall be understood as measured with respect to this reference potential.

[0041] Preferably, the electrical modules are chosen from: photovoltaic modules, batteries, electrolyzers and fuel cells.

[0042] In an embodiment such as illustrated by Figures 2 to 5, the different blocks are of a similar nature and parameters. In particular, in [Fig. 2], the blocks 17 are photovoltaic module blocks, and in Figures 3 to 5, the blocks 17 are battery blocks.

[0043] Alternatively, as illustrated by [Fig. 6], the blocks 17 are of different types, forming a hybrid configuration. In the specific example of [Fig. 6], the DC voltage source 12 is formed from the following blocks: a battery block 17A, an electrolyzer block 17B and a photovoltaic module block 17C.

[0044] Each electrical module operates within an environmental operating range. This range corresponds to the environmental or system conditions experienced by the modules. An example of a condition might be, for a photovoltaic module, its temperature, and for a battery module, its state of charge. These conditions also encompass the system conditions imposed on the modules by the rest of the system of the invention. The possible environmental operating range of the modules results in the voltage across each block 17 varying within a voltage range. This voltage range extends between a minimum voltage Vinf and a maximum voltage Vsup.

[0045] The minimum voltage Vinf is the lowest voltage and the maximum voltage Vsup is the highest voltage. For example, in the case of the 17 electrical module blocks in Figures 2 to 6, the minimum voltage Vinf is equal to 846 V (Volt) and the maximum voltage Vsup is equal to 1200 V.

[0046] As part of the system conditions, the operating point (current / voltage) of each block 17 can, for example, be chosen by the user according to the needs and environmental conditions of the moment, the resulting voltage of the block 17 being by definition part of the voltage range between Vinf and Vsup.

[0047] In one embodiment (valid in particular for photovoltaic modules), the environmental operating domain includes, for example, the temperature of the modules as an environmental condition, as well as the fixing of the maximum power production point of each block 17 as a system condition.

[0048] Depending on the nature of the electrical modules, different environmental and system conditions can define the operating environmental range. For example, in the case of batteries, temperature and / or state of charge and / or battery health can influence the choice of system conditions, for example, to minimize aging, and results in an operating environmental range and a possible voltage range of blocks 17. The voltage range of blocks 17 made up of electrolyzers, or fuel cells, can for example be influenced by the temperatures and / or flow rates of the reactive fluids and / or the search for a system condition such as for example a maximization of efficiency.

[0049] Depending on the application, the positive or negative terminals of each block 17 of electrical modules are connected together at a common point M and respectively all to the positive terminals of the inverters 20 and 22 or all to the negative terminals of the inverters 20 and 22. The common point preferably serves as a reference potential, for example equal to zero (connected to ground).

[0050] In particular, in the examples in Figures 2, 3, 5 and 6, the negative terminal of each block 17 of electrical modules and of the inverters 20 and 22 is connected to the common point M which is at the reference potential, for example to ground. Whereas in the example in [Fig. 4], it is the positive terminal of each block 17 of electrical modules and of the inverters 20 and 22 that is connected to the common point M, the common point M being at the reference potential, for example to ground.

[0051] The alternating voltage source 14 comprises one or more alternating sub-sources.

[0052] In an example of an embodiment, illustrated in Figures 3, 4 and 6, at least two sub-sources are electrically separated from each other. The separated sub-sources are, for example, a three-phase delta transformer and a three-phase wye transformer. Their delta or wye configuration may, for example, be that of Figures 3 and 4, or that of [Fig. 6].

[0053] The alternating voltage sub-source(s) are, for example, an electrical network or energy-consuming devices, such as a computer device or a household appliance.

[0054] As illustrated by [Fig.1], the conversion device 16 comprises a first inverter 20, a second inverter 22 and a chopper 24.

[0055] The first inverter 20 has an operating voltage equal to a predetermined low voltage Vmin. The first inverter 20 regulates the low voltage Vmin. The low voltage Vmin is strictly positive and is less than or equal to the minimum voltage Vinf.

[0056] Preferably, the lower voltage Vmin is equal to the minimum voltage Vinf. Choosing Vmin = Vinf minimizes the voltage applied to the semiconductors. However, it may be useful to choose Vmin <Vinf pour optimiser d’autres caractéristiques, notamment la répartition de courant entre le premier onduleur 20 et le second onduleur 22.

[0057] In the examples in Figures 2 to 6, the minimum voltage Vinf is equal to 846 V and the low voltage Vmin is equal to 800 V.

[0058] In particular, in the examples in Figures 2, 3, 5, and 6, the first inverter 20 is connected between a common point M and a terminal with a potential equal to the lower voltage Vmin, referred to as the lower terminal Bi. The common point M serves as a potential reference, for example, zero potential (connected to ground). Alternatively, for example in the case of the photovoltaic application in [Fig. 2], the common point M can be left at a floating reference potential.

[0059] In the example of [Fig.4], the first inverter 20 is connected between a potential terminal -Vmin equal in absolute value to the lower voltage, called upper terminal Bs, and a common point M. The common point M serves as a potential reference, for example of zero potential.

[0060] The choice between the case of grounding the common point M high, and the case of grounding the common point M low depends in particular on the typology of the DC voltage source 12. Indeed, some DC voltage sources 12 may be specifically sensitive to a particular polarization direction (e.g. PID type damage “Potential Induced Degradation” depending on photovoltaic technologies).

[0061] The first inverter 20 is suitable for connection to the AC voltage source 14.

[0062] Preferably, the first inverter 20 is chosen from: a single-phase current inverter, a three-phase current inverter, a single-phase voltage inverter, and a three-phase voltage inverter. In the case of a first inverter 20 with a voltage source, the first inverter 20 is, for example, a two-level or multi-level voltage inverter.

[0063] In the examples in Figures 2 to 4 and 6, the first inverter 20 is a three-phase voltage inverter. In these examples, the first inverter 20 comprises three parallel branches. Each branch has two switches in series. Each switch consists of a transistor (e.g., an IGBT: insulated-gate bipolar transistor) and a diode connected in antiparallel. The midpoint between the switches of each branch is connected to the AC voltage source 14 via an inductor (used to smooth the current waveform). These inductors can correspond to the leakage inductances of the transformer, hence their absence from Figures 3 and 4. In these examples, a capacitor is also connected in parallel with the first inverter 20, and an inductor is positioned in series with either the lower terminal Bi or the upper terminal Bs, as appropriate.Taken in isolation, this part is quite standard and will not be described in further detail.

[0064] In the example of [Fig. 5], the first inverter 20 is a current inverter. In this example, the first inverter 20 comprises three parallel branches. Each branch has two switches in series. Each switch consists of a transistor (e.g., IGBT) and a diode connected in series. The output point of the switches in each branch is connected to the AC voltage source 14. In this case, the inverter 20 is connected to the chopper 24 via an inductor. Taken in isolation, this part is quite conventional and will not be described in further detail.

[0065] The second inverter 22 is connected in series with the first inverter 20 so that the operating voltage of the assembly formed by the first inverter 20 and the second inverter 22 is equal to a predetermined high voltage Vmax.

[0066] The second inverter 22 has an operating voltage equal to the difference between the high voltage Vmax and the low voltage Vmin.

[0067] The high voltage Vmax is greater than or equal to the maximum voltage Vsup.

[0068] Preferably, the high voltage Vmax is equal to the maximum voltage Vsup. It can- It may be interesting to choose Vm ax=Vsup to minimize the voltage applied to the semiconductors of the chopper 24, but it may be useful to choose Vm ax>Vsup to optimize other characteristics, including the current distribution between the inverter 20 and the inverter 22.

[0069] In the examples in Figures 2 to 6, the maximum voltage Vsup is equal to 1200 V and the high voltage Vmax is set at 1300 V.

[0070] In particular, in the examples of figures 2, 3, 5 and 6, the second inverter 22 is connected between a terminal with a potential equal to the low voltage Vmin, called the lower terminal Bi, and a terminal with a potential equal to the high voltage Vmax, called the upper terminal B s.

[0071] In the example of [Fig.4], the second inverter 22 is connected between a potential terminal -Vmax equal in absolute value to the high voltage, called lower terminal Bi, and a potential terminal -Vmin equal in absolute value to the low voltage, called upper terminal Bs.

[0072] The second inverter 22 is suitable for being connected to the alternating voltage source 14.

[0073] Preferably, the low voltage Vmin is different from the difference between the high voltage Vmax and the low voltage Vmin. This allows for consideration of the characteristics of the DC source and the operating environment (photovoltaic module technology, possible module temperatures, etc.). For example, in the case of photovoltaic panels, the low voltage Vmin is fixed at a defined value (e.g., Vinf), and the high voltage Vmax (and consequently Vmax - Vmin) depends on the conditions encountered.

[0074] Alternatively, the low voltage Vmin is equal to the difference between the high voltage Vmax and the low voltage Vmin

[0075] Preferably, the second inverter 22 is chosen from: a single-phase current inverter, a three-phase current inverter, a single-phase voltage inverter, and a three-phase voltage inverter. If the second inverter 22 is a voltage inverter, it may, for example, be a two-level or multi-level inverter.

[0076] In the examples in Figures 2 to 6, the second inverter 22 is a three-phase voltage inverter. In these examples, the second inverter 22 comprises three parallel branches. Each branch has two switches in series. Each switch consists of a transistor (IGBT) and a diode connected in antiparallel. The output point between the switches of each branch is connected to the AC voltage source 14 via an inductor (used to smooth the current waveform). These inductors can correspond to the leakage inductances of the transformer, hence their absence from Figures 3 and 4. In these examples, a capacitor is also connected in parallel with the second inverter 22, and an inductor is positioned in series with the upper terminal Bs. This smooths the signal arriving at the second inverter 22.

[0077] In a preferred embodiment, as illustrated in [Fig. 5], the first inverter 20 is a current inverter and the second inverter 22 is a voltage inverter. The three-phase case is illustrated in [Fig. 5], but this also applies to single-phase inverters. This configuration is advantageous because the DC voltage controllable by a current inverter is lower than the DC voltage controllable by a voltage inverter, which allows for optimized sizing of these inverters, with the current inverter delivering Vmin and the voltage inverter Vmax > Vmin.

[0078] The chopper 24 is suitable for being connected to the DC voltage source 12 to adjust the voltage across each block 17 of electrical modules.

[0079] The chopper 24 is adapted to operate each block 17 of electrical modules at the desired operating point. For example, the chopper 24 is adapted to find the maximum power operating point for each block 17. To this end, the chopper 24 includes a separate connection for each block 17, as will be described later in the description.

[0080] For example, when the blocks 17 are photovoltaic modules, the arms of the chopper 24 are controlled, for example, by perturbation and observation type algorithms that search for the maximum power point of each block 17, these points potentially corresponding to different voltages. The set of voltages possible maximum power points depending on the temperature of the modules defines for example the operating voltage range between Vinf and Vsup.

[0081] The chopper 24 is connected to the first inverter 20 and the second inverter 22 such that the voltage across the chopper 24 is equal to the difference between the high voltage Vmax and the low voltage Vmin. The voltage across the chopper 24 is therefore identical to the voltage across the second inverter 22.

[0082] In particular, in the examples of figures 2, 3, 5 and 6 the lower terminal Bi is connected to the positive terminal of the inverter 20 and the upper terminal Bs is connected to the positive terminal of the inverter 22. Thus, in the examples of figures 2, 3, 5 and 6, the voltage across the chopper 24 is equal to 500 V (1300 V - 800 V).

[0083] In [Fig.4] the lower terminal Bi is connected to the negative terminal of the inverter 22 and the upper terminal Bs is connected to the negative terminal of the inverter 20; so that in all cases the potential of Bs is greater than the potential of Bi.

[0084] Preferably, the chopper 24 includes a branch of switches for each block 17 of electrical modules.

[0085] Each block 17 thus has one of its terminals connected to a common point M and the other of its terminals connected to a separate branch of switches of the chopper 24. The first inverter 20 has one of its terminals connected to one of the common terminals of all the branches of switches of the chopper 24. The second inverter 22 has one of its terminals connected to the other of the common terminals of all the branches of switches of the chopper 24. The first inverter 20 and the second inverter 22 each have another terminal connected to the common connection point M of the blocks 17.

[0086] In the examples in Figures 2 to 6, the DC voltage source 12 is formed of three blocks 17 of electrical modules and the chopper 24 then comprises three branches of switches. Each branch of switches comprises two switches connected in series.

[0087] In the example of [Fig.2] (non-reversible configuration for energy conversion between the DC voltage source and the AC voltage source, particularly in the case of photovoltaic modules, fuel cells or electrolyzers), one of the switches in each branch of the chopper 24 is formed of a transistor (IGBT), and the other switch is formed only of a diode.

[0088] In the examples in Figures 3 to 5 (reversible configuration, used in particular in the case of batteries), each switch of the chopper 24 is formed of a transistor and a diode connected in antiparallel.

[0089] In the example of [Fig. 6], the configuration is a hybrid with 17A batteries, an electrolyzer 17B, and 17C photovoltaic modules. The switches of the chopper branch 24 connected to the 17A batteries each consist of a transistor and a diode connected in antiparallel. In the case of the electrolyzer 17B and the 17C photovoltaic modules, one of the switches in each branch is formed by a transistor (IGBT), and the other switch is formed by only a diode.

[0090] The midpoint between the switches of each branch of the chopper 24 is connected to a block 17 of electrical modules via an inductor used to smooth the current. In these examples, a capacitor is also connected in parallel with the switch branches to limit overvoltages during switching, in accordance with conventional prior art principles.

[0091] An example of the operation of the electrical assembly 10 will now be described.

[0092] The inverters 20 and 22 are controlled to deliver voltages between the high voltage Vmax and low voltage Vmin which make it possible to bracket all the setpoint voltages of the blocks 17. The arms of the chopper 24 are controlled so as to adapt the voltage across each block 17 of the DC voltage source 12 to setpoint values.

[0093] The voltage of the chopper components 24 is thus limited to Vmax-Vmin, a value much lower than with conventional boost choppers which would be subjected to Vmax. This is also the case for the second inverter 22, whose voltage is the same as that of the chopper 24, i.e., Vmax-Vmin*.

[0094] The first inverter 20 then converts part of the power from the chopper 24, and the other part is converted by the second inverter 22. In practice, it is possible to choose Vmin and Vmax values ​​such that the first inverter 20 and the second inverter 22 each convert approximately 50% of the total transmitted power.

[0095] Thus, the energy conversion device 16, by lowering the voltage across the chopper 24, reduces the constraints on the voltage sizing of the chopper components 24 and therefore also the cost, volume, and weight, without compromising the conversion efficiency. On the contrary, by lowering the voltage, the conversion efficiency is improved.

[0096] Furthermore, since the voltage across the second inverter 22 is the same as that across the chopper 24, it is possible to use the same components for both the second inverter 22 and the chopper 24. By lowering the voltage across the second inverter 22 compared to an inverter with a high voltage Vmax, the voltage sizing constraints of the second inverter 22's components are reduced, thus also decreasing the cost, size, and weight, without compromising conversion efficiency. On the contrary, lowering the voltage improves conversion efficiency.

[0097] Due to the presence of two independent inverters, the conversion device 16 is also more resilient. Indeed, if one of the inverters fails, the ability to independently and optimally adjust the operating point of each of the blocks 17 is lost, but it is still possible to continue to operate at reduced power through the other inverter by saturating all duty cycles of the chopper 24.

[0098] Such a conversion device 16 is particularly suitable for medium to high power and low to medium voltage applications, especially photovoltaic applications. Such a conversion device 16 is also suitable for other types of electrical modules, such as batteries, electrolyzers, or fuel cells.

[0099] A person skilled in the art will understand that the embodiments and variants described above can be combined to form new embodiments provided that they are technically compatible.

Claims

Demands

1. A device (16) for converting energy between a direct current (DC) voltage source (12) and an alternating current (AC) voltage source (14), the DC voltage source (12) comprising at least two blocks (17), each comprising at least one electrical module, each electrical module operating within an environmental operating range, the voltage across each block (17) varying over a voltage range for the environmental operating range, the voltage range extending between a minimum voltage (Vinf) and a maximum voltage (Vsup), the device (16) comprising: a. a first inverter (20) having an operating voltage equal to a predetermined low voltage (Vmin), the low voltage (Vmin) being strictly positive and being less than or equal to the minimum voltage (Vinf), the first inverter (20) being suitable for connection to the alternating voltage source (14), b. a second inverter (22) connected in series with the first inverter (20) such that the operating voltage of the assembly formed by the first inverter (20) and the second inverter (22) is equal to a predetermined high voltage (Vmax), the high voltage (Vmax) being greater than or equal to the maximum voltage (Vsup), the second inverter (22) being suitable for connection to the AC voltage source (14), and c. a chopper (24) suitable for connection to the DC voltage source (12) to adjust the voltage across each block (17) over the voltage range, the chopper (24) being connected to the first inverter (20) and the second inverter (22) so that the voltage across the chopper (24) is equal to the difference between the high voltage (Vmax) and the low voltage (Vmin).

2. Device (16) according to claim 1, wherein the first inverter (20) is connected between a potential reference terminal (M) and a potential terminal equal to the low voltage (Vmin), referred to as the lower terminal (Bi), the second inverter (22) being connected between the terminal lower (Bi) and a potential terminal equal to the high voltage (V max), called upper terminal (Bs), the voltage terminals of the chopper (24) being connected to the lower terminal (Bi) of the first inverter (20) and the second inverter (22) and to the upper terminal (B s) of the second inverter (22).

3. Device (16) according to claim 1, wherein the first inverter (20) is connected between a potential terminal (-Vmin) equal in absolute value to the low voltage, called the upper terminal (Bs), and a potential reference terminal (M), the second inverter (22) being connected between a potential terminal (-Vmax) equal in absolute value to the high voltage, called the lower terminal (Bi), and the upper terminal (Bs), the voltage terminals of the chopper (24) being connected to the upper terminal (Bs) of the first inverter (20) of the second inverter (22) and to the lower terminal (Bi) of the second inverter (22).

4. Device (16) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first inverter (20) and the second inverter (22) are selected from: a single-phase current inverter, a three-phase current inverter, a single-phase voltage inverter and a three-phase voltage inverter.

5. Device (16) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first inverter (20) is a current inverter and the second inverter (22) is a voltage inverter.

6. Device (16) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the environmental operating range depends on the temperature of the electrical module(s) of each block (17).

7. Device (16) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the chopper (24) is suitable for searching in the environmental operating range for the maximum power operating point for each block (17).

8. Device (16) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the low voltage (Vmin) is equal to the minimum voltage (Vinf) and the high voltage (Vmax) is equal to the maximum voltage (Vsup).

9. Device (16) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the low voltage (Vmin) is different from the difference between the high voltage (Vmax) and the low voltage (Vmin).

10. Electrical assembly (10) comprising: a. a DC voltage source (12), the DC voltage source (12) comprising at least two blocks (17) each comprising at least one electrical module, each electrical module operating within an environmental operating range, the voltage across each block (17) varying over a voltage range for the environmental operating range, the voltage range extending between a minimum voltage (Vinf) and a maximum voltage (Vsup), b. an AC voltage source (14), and c. a device (16) for converting energy between the DC voltage source (12) and the AC voltage source (14), the device (16) being according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. Electrical assembly (10) according to claim 10, wherein the AC voltage source (14) comprises at least two electrically separated sub-sources, the first inverter (20) being connected to one of the sub-sources and the second inverter (22) being connected to the other of the sub-sources.

12. Electrical assembly (10) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the chopper (24) comprises a branch of switches per block (17), each block (17) having one of its terminals connected to a common potential reference terminal (M) and the other of its terminals connected to a separate branch of switches of the chopper (24), the first inverter (20) having one of its terminals connected to one of the common terminals of all the branches of switches of the chopper (24), the second inverter (22) having one of its terminals connected to the other of the common terminals of all the branches of switches of the chopper (24), the first inverter (20) having another terminal connected to the common potential reference terminal (M) of connection of the blocks (17).

13. Electrical assembly according to claim 12, wherein at least two blocks (17) are of a different nature.

14. Electrical assembly (10) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the positive terminal or the negative terminal of each block (17) is connected to the potential reference terminal (M).

15. Electrical assembly (10) according to any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the electrical modules are selected from: photovoltaic modules, batteries, electrolyzers and fuel cells.

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